Egypt stint pays dividends for Heng Wai
KUALA LUMPUR: A short stint in Egypt did a world of good for junior squash player Wong Heng Wai.
The 14-year-old went through a confidence crisis after she was surprisingly beaten in the second round of the British Junior Open in January.
But a 10-day training and competition stint in Egypt last month proved fruitful for Heng Wai.
Yesterday, she finally found her form to reach the final of the girls’ Under-17 category at the National Junior Circuit Grand Finals.
She showed great determination as she recovered from a 1-2 deficit to beat top seed Noor Aina Amani Ampandi 6-11, 11-4, 11-13, 11-8, 11-7 in the semi-finals at the National Squash Centre in Bukit Jalil.
“I’m very happy with the way I played. I’ve been losing matches for the past few months and this is just the result I need,” said a relieved Heng Wai.
“My confidence was down after my early exit at the British Juniors. And it affected my performance.
“But I learned a lot while I was in Egypt.
“Now, I feel my game is finally picking up again. Hopefully I’ll continue to do well in the final,” she added.
Heng Wai will face good friend Jessica Keng, the third seed, for the title today.
Jessica, who turned 15 yesterday, proved too strong for fellow Sabahan Yee Xin Ying as she won 14-12, 11-5, 11-6.
In the girls’ Under-19 category, Chan Yiwen will meet Ooi Kah Yan in the final.
Both Yiwen and Kah Yan won their two matches in the four-play-
er round-robin competition.
In the Under-15 category, twotime Asian junior champion Aira Azman will take on K. Sehveetrraa for the title.